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STEAM at Fairsted- Blue Printing

STEAM with images in letters

As the site of the nation’s first full-scale, professional landscape architecture office, we have many examples of creative uses of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. We would love you to try out something inspired by the happenings of the Olmsted office!

Supplies needed:

Sunprinting paper (commercially available)
Tub of water
Flat surface with direct sunlight
Something to copy!
Optional: printable PDF of activity

Directions:

  1. Find 2-3 objects on the ground, such as leaves or sticks. Or, use a piece of thin paper, tracing paper or tissue paper works best, and draw a picture (using pen or marker).
  2. Place the piece of sunprinting paper blue side up on fat surface.
  3. Put your objects on top of the piece of sunpriting paper. Make sure the full paper is in direct sunlight.
  4. If possible, cover with piece of clear plexi-glass to prevent the objects from moving.
  5. Wait 3 minutes (or longer if the sun is not strong). Wait until the paper is almost white.
  6. Remove the objects (and plexi-glass) from the sunprinting paper.
  7. Place the sunprinting paper, printed side down, into tub of water. Fully immerse the paper before letting it float.
  8. Leave it in the water for at least 2 minutes.
  9. Hang or lay flat your print to let it dry.
  10. Put the objects back where you found them.
  11. Enjoy your blueprint!
boy hanging blueprinting paper on line near bush

Part of a series of articles titled STEAM at Fairsted.

Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site

Last updated: October 10, 2024